massenstoffe

Massenstoffe, also known as mass nouns, are a category of nouns that refer to substances, concepts, or ideas that are not countable. Unlike countable nouns, which can be quantified with numbers (e.g., "three apples"), massenstoffe cannot be counted individually. Instead, they are measured using units of quantity, such as kilograms, liters, or portions.

Examples of massenstoffe include abstract concepts like "love," "happiness," and "time," as well as tangible substances like "water," "sand," and "flour." These nouns do not have plural forms and are typically used in the singular. For instance, one would say "I have love for you" rather than "I have loves for you."

In German, massenstoffe are often referred to as "Mengenwörter" or "Mengenbegriffe," which translates to "quantity words" or "quantity terms." These terms are fundamental in grammar and are essential for understanding how to quantify and describe various substances and concepts in a language.